Forced to return to featherweight, Sertanejo promises knockout at UFC Poland

Sertanejo faces Emmett this Saturday (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook FelipeSertanejo)

Without fighting since November 2016, when he was defeated by Erik Perez in UFC Mexico, Felipe Sertanejo is preparing to return to the octagon this Saturday, in Poland, when he will face the American Josh Emmett. The return, however, will not be in the way the Brazilian would like, as he revealed that he was 'forced' by the organization to move up to featherweight, after having problems cutting weight in the bantamweight division.

See too

Vitor Belfort faces Uriah Hall in his last UFC fight, in January

Darren Till warns: 'If Cerrone trades with me, he will die'

“It was only the UFC’s option. For me, I would continue fighting at 61kg. I would do the complementary exams, since the first ones didn't show anything, and I would cut weight naturally, as I always managed. Now, for me, I don't think it was a good change. It was well adapted to roosters. I had a problem in Mexico (when he lost to Erik Perez, by split decision), I was missing around 300g and I had a cramp in my leg. But this time, it wasn't a problem with the weight cut. I'm going to fight at featherweight and ask them for permission to be able to fight again at 61kg. It's a good category for me. But that's okay, a fight is a fight and this change won't change much inside the Octagon”, he declared in an interview with the 'Combate' channel's website.

PUBLICITY:

If Sertanejo is moving up a category, his opponent is doing the opposite: used to fighting at lightweight, Emmett will make his debut at 66kg. For the Brazilian, the precession of dehydration can hinder the American, which, theoretically, would give him an advantage at the time of the dispute.

“He's a very strong guy, who competed in the lightweight division, but I think this will be good for me. While he goes down, he struggles more to lose weight, I move up a category and have a better recovery. Josh likes to push hard against the fence, he's explosive and has many point wins. He likes to fight the fight and take it to the third round, so I focused on strength training, cardio and, of course, I'm going to try to keep my distance and work on my Muay Thai. I’m sure I’ll win by knockout,” he concluded.

PUBLICITY: